Large bale made from insulating material products, especially mineral wool products in the form of slabs or rolls

ABSTRACT

In a large package of insulation material products, in particular mineral wool products in the form of panels or rolls or the like, which consist of at least two stacks of rock wool products and wherein each stack is wrapped with a sheeting, which surrounds the stack in the form of an envelope, two adjacently lying principal surfaces of the stack are joined to one another by means of a superposed sheeting, in which eye-like handle loops are formed, at least one handle loop being arranged on each stack.

[0001] The invention relates to a large package according to the genericterm of patent claim 1 or 2

[0002] Insulation products used in the construction trade, such as inparticular rock wool products in the form of panels or rolls, areusually held in the form of packages comprising a stack of superposedindividual panels or panel packages or individual rolls or modulescomprising a plurality of rolls for the purpose of transport andstorage. These insulation products are products in the bulk densityrange from 13 kg/m³ to 200 kg/m³. Since in the construction trade, largeareas usually have to be insulated, comparatively large amounts ofinsulating material are consumed for insulation purposes, so that thereare problems in transporting these voluminous rock wool products,consumed in large quantities, to the customer and to the constructionsite. Increasingly more, therefore, there has been a trend towardspackaging these rock wool products in large packages and providing themwith a wooden pallet. Such large packages are then transported by theirbase by means of a fork-lift truck engaging in the pallet or conveyed onthe construction site by means of a crane to the place of use, e.g. theroof. In particular on the construction site, however, the emptiedwooden pallets increasingly cause problems as regards their disposal.Firstly, these must be transported from the construction project, e.g.the roof, back to the construction ground, and secondly, they must bedisposed of again from here.

[0003] For the purposes of transporting such packages or stacks, it istherefore already known (EP 544 704 B) to wrap a film enveloping thestack at one end in two layers in the form of a tab aligned centrallywith the stack, to weld it and provide adjacently located handleopenings in the welded tab. In this solution, the use of a pallet isalready eliminated as means of transport, since the handle openings mayserve for the engagement of a transport device.

[0004] For large packages, which consist of a plurality of adjacentlyarranged stacks, e.g. of fertiliser bags, it is already known (PCT NO97/00346), to use, instead of pallets, lifting eyes, which are formed ofthe same material as the envelope of a plurality of stacks. To this end,a fabric web is wound around e.g. two stacks and, in the region of theseparating plane of two adjacently arranged stacks, is drawn upward overthe top principal surface of the envelope and inserted through aslit-like opening introduced into the envelope, resulting in an eye-likehandle loop for the engagement of a means of transport. Apart from thefact that, in this case, only one eye-like handle loop is provided,problems occur for the handling of the large package by the means oftransport in particular by the fact that the handle loop must be held upand held apart appropriately by additional auxiliary personnel to allowengagement by the means of transport.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known, for the purposes of transport, toprovide large packages with a plurality of eye-like handle loops, whichare knotted from wrapping straps or wrapping cords, which, however, isunfavourable in the case of rock wool products, because straps of thiskind cut in and therefore must usually be additionally used with anunderlying additional film web, which increases the packaging outlay.Also, in the case of these straps or strings, the same problem, in theregion of the handle loop, of difficult access by the means oftransport, because these eyes must be separately held up and held open,so that engagement by the means of transport, for example the fork of afork-lift truck, is possible.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a large package fortransport and storage of insulation products, in particular rock woolproducts in the form of panels or rolls, which can be produced simplyand at low cost and can be transported in a simple manner without apallet provided separately for each large package, it being necessary toensure reliable and rapid access for a preferably conventional transportdevice, such as a fork lift truck, for the purpose of transport of thelarge package.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by means ofthe features contained in the characterising part of claims 1 and 2,expedient further developments being characterised by the features givenin the subclaims.

[0008] According to the provisions of the invention, a multiplicity ofstacks are put together to form a large package, for example a largepackage comprising two adjacently arranged stacks, each stackcontaining, arranged one above the other, the rock wool products in theform of individual panels or panel packages, and individual rolls, ormodules comprising a plurality of rolls, and at least one eye-likehandle loop being realised in the region of each stack. The realisationof this eye-like handle loop may be formed by means of a web whichcomprises fabric of high tensile strength or sheeting of high tensilestrength, which form the eye-like handle loops per se, is laid on theprincipal surfaces of the adjacently arranged stacks and is fastened tothe wrapping of the stacks. Herein, it is expedient if an eye-likehandle loop is provided for each stack. In the case of a large packagecomprising two stacks, two eye-like handle loops are then available,which can then be grasped, for example, by the fork tines of a fork-lifttruck. The overlaid web of fabric or sheeting is expediently ofidentical material to the material of the wrapping which surrounds eachstack. It goes without saying that, within a large package, the eyes arearranged at a distance from one another appropriate to the means oftransport.

[0009] According to another alternative embodiment, in which all stacksof the large package are expediently jointly wrapped by a single fabricweb, the eye-like handle loops are realised by means of a loop of thefabric web, which is guided through in the separating plane of theadjacently arranged stacks, and is then correspondingly wrapped around,or, by spreading out, is folded over onto the principal surfaces of thestacks. In this case, just as in the above-described embodiment, theeye-like handle loops may be formed by the fabric web. Here, it is alsopossible in a very simple manner to realise the eye-like handle loopswith the formation of the wrapping of the stack in one operation.

[0010] To prevent gaping open of adjacently arranged stacks, which arecombined into a large package, during transport by a lifting means, itis expedient if the handle loops are arranged eccentrically and offsettowards the inside. This inevitably results in a torque during thelifting of the large package, which acts on each stack and forces ittowards the separating plane.

[0011] The handle loops can expediently by designed so as to bereinforced or stiffened by the insertion or mounting of correspondingstiffening means. However, stiffening is also possible by means of amultilayer realisation. A stiffening can also be achieved by the factthat the web which is used for the formation of the handle loops isgathered together and bound to form a cord-like construction. By thismeans a comparatively dimensionally stable handle loop is also formed,so that automatic engagement by the transport means is possible withoutan auxiliary person having to hold the handle loops.

[0012] In particular, each stack can advantageously be covered toprotect it against moisture, for example in that a trough-like,watertight hood is arranged in the lower region of each stack and can inparticular expediently be accommodated within the envelope comprisingthe fabric web or sheeting. Expediently the ends of each stack can alsoadditionally be covered with a fabric web or a sheeting.

[0013] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are describedbelow with reference to the drawing, wherein

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a large package, which isformed from two adjacently arranged stacks, and

[0015]FIG. 2 shows an analogous schematic side view of a furtherembodiment of the large package, which also comprises two adjacentlyarranged stacks.

[0016] In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, two stacks 1 and 2 arecombined to form a large package generally designed 3. Each of stacks 1and 2 is formed from mutually superposed rock wool panels along theprincipal surfaces. The number of mutually superposed rock woolinsulation panels is thereby chosen according to the particularapplication, so that as many rock wool insulating panels as required canbe superposed. The rock wool panels within each of stacks 1 and 2 aredesignated 4. Each of stacks 1 and 2 is wound over its circumferencewith a web of fabric of high tensile strength or of sheeting with hightensile strength, which is here designated 5. Herein, it is possible toarrange each of stacks 1 and 2 in an envelope 5 comprising in each casean individual web of fabric or sheeting; expediently, however, theenvelopment of the stacks 1 and 2 is carried out with one and the samefabric web, which is wound such that it envelops each of the two stacks1 and 2 to form an entirety. Envelopment techniques of this kind andwell known and it poses no difficulties to envelop both stacks hereentirely by means of a single web.

[0017] For the purpose of transport, a web, designated 6, comprisingfabric of high tensile strength or sheeting is arranged on the packageand can expediently be made of the same material as the envelopment.According to the typical embodiment shown, the web 6 is arranged on thetwo upper principal surfaces of the stacks 1 and 2 and firmly connectedto the envelope 5 of the two stacks 1 and 2 by adhesive bonding, weldingor sewing or the like. In the areas designated 7, however, the web 6 isnot connected to the envelope 5, but rather eye-like handle loops 8 and9 are formed there. This is achieved most simply in that the stretchedtextile web 6 is pushed together somewhat in the regions 7, such that aneye-like handle loop is formed automatically. If necessary, however, toform the handle loops a mould core can also be used, which is thenremoved again after adhesive bonding or welding of the web 6 to theenvelope 5, so that the eye-like handle loops 8 and 9 are formed.

[0018] In FIG. 1, an alternative embodiment is also shown, in which theweb 6, as shown in broken lines, is led around the top comers of stacks1 and 2, such that the fabric web 6 partially overlaps the sides ofstacks 1 and 2 at 10 and 11, which is advantageous for a stableconnection of the package. It goes without saying that the web 6 is alsofastened to the envelope 5 in the regions 10 and 11.

[0019] The eye-like handle loops 8 and 9 are, in the embodimentaccording to FIG. 1, offset inwardly from the centre of each stack,which is identified by the dotted plane 12, as is illustrated in theleft-hand stack 1 by plane 13, which is aligned approximately centrallywith the handle loop. This has the consequence that whenever the packageis lifted during transport by, for example, a fork-lift, truck, a torqueacting in a counterclockwise direction, illustrated by the arrows D,acts towards the inside, such that the two stacks are virtually forcedtogether during lifting and cannot gape apart. This is an expedientmeasure, which, however, is not essential. In other words, the handleloops 8 and 9 may also be arranged centrically, or even eccentricallytowards the outer edges of the stacks 1 and 2.

[0020] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, a single fabric web isused for the two stacks 1 and 2, the same components being designatedwith the same reference characters. In this case it goes without sayingthat, in the contact surface between the two stacks 1 and 2, two layersof the web 6 of fabric of high tensile strength or sheeting, are presentwhen each of stacks 1 and 2 is wrapped and enveloped with a single layerof the web. In this case, as is identified in FIG. 2 with a verticalarrow, the web 6 is drawn upwards in the form of a tab-like loop duringthe wrapping of the two stacks 1 and 2, the two loop halves 15 and 16then being drawn apart, as characterised by the arrows S. The left-handloop half 15 is in this case, as for the transition phase, identifiedwith a broken line, laid towards the left on the principal surface ofthe stack 1, the right-hand loop half, on the other hand, being laid onthe right-hand stack 2. This is again illustrated at the left-hand sidewith the arrow T. The loop halves 15 and 16 thus therefore lie on thetop principal surface of the two stacks 1 and 2 and are there fastenedto the envelope 5, again with the formation of the eye-like handle loops8 and 9, which may suitably be carried out by, for example, adhesivebonding, welding or stitching. It goes without saying that, as aconsequence of the folding, the web, which then lies at the top, andforms the two eye-like handle loops 8 and 9, is now two-layered andconsequently reinforced in design. Here, too, the tab-like loop 14 mayof course be drawn out until the upper fabric web, which is againdesignated 6, also overlaps the two edges of the stacks 1 and 2analogously to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, which is advantageousfor reasons of stability, depending on the weight of the package.

[0021] In a further embodiment, it is expedient that the handle loops 8and 9 are reinforced in design. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2,this may take place in that a corresponding reinforcing fabric isembedded between the two layers of each loop half 15 and 16 and, ifappropriate, also firmly bonded to the fabric web 6. However, it is alsopossible that, in the region of both handle loops, but also expedientlyin adjacent regions, the fabric web 6 is gathered together and bound toform a cord-like construction, resulting in cord-like handle loops.Finally, it may be expedient that the sheeting serving to envelop thetwo stacks has longitudinally extending reinforcements, virtually in theform of “braces” in the sheeting, by virtue of which said sheeting doesnot need to be as thick.

[0022] Depending on the intended purpose, it may be preferred to envelopthe two stacks 1 and 2 to form a weather-resistant entirety by means ofa sheeting or fabric, so that even the end surfaces, which can be seenfrom the front in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the rearwardly directed faces canbe enveloped or covered with a sheeting or fabric. As required, it isalso possible for a trough-like hood consisting of sheeting or fabric tobe provided, in particular in the lower region of each stack 1 and 2,which is realised and designed as weather protection. This trough-like,impermeable hood can then be received within the sleeve 5.

1. Large package of insulation products, in particular rock woolproducts in the form of panels or rolls or the like, the large packagebeing formed from at least two stacks (1, 2) of rock wool products, ofwhich each stack (1, 2) is wrapped with at least one web (6) of fabricof high tensile strength or sheeting of high tensile strength, whichsurrounds the stack in the form of an envelope (5), characterised inthat two adjacently lying principal surfaces of the stack (1, 2) arejoined together by a superposed web (6) of fabric of high tensilestrength or sheeting of high tensile strength in which eye-like handleloops (8, 9) are formed, at least one handle loop (8, 9) in each casebeing arranged on one stack.
 2. Large package of insulation products, inparticular rock wool products in the form of panels, rolls or the like,the large package (3) being formed from at least two stacks (1, 2) ofrock wool products, both stacks being wrapped with at least one web (6)of fabric of high tensile strength or sheeting of high tensile strength,which surrounds each of the stacks in the form of an envelope, the web(6) being drawn upwards over two adjacently lying principal surfaces ofthe stacks between the two envelopes (5) in the form of a tab-like loop(14), characterised in that the tab-like loop (14) or a portion (15, 16)in each case of the tab-like loop is laid around each of the twoprincipal surfaces and each laid-around loop section (15, 16) is firmlyjoined to an envelope section, which covers the principal surface, ofthe web (6) with the formation of at least one eye-like handle loop (8,9).
 3. Large package according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in thatthe handle loop (8, 9) is in each case arranged eccentrically on thestack and offset towards the separating plane of the two stacks. 4.Large package according to one of the preceding claims, characterised inthat the handle loop (8, 9) is designed so as to be reinforced orstiffened.
 5. Large package according to one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the handle loops (8,9) are in each case formed bya plurality of superposed sheetings or fabric layers.
 6. Large packageaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, forformation of the handle loop (8), the web (6) is gathered together andbound to form a cord-like structure.
 7. Large package according to oneof the preceding claims, characterised in that as sheeting aheat-shrinkable sheeting is used.
 8. Large package according to one ofthe preceding claims, characterised in that the sheeting serving forwrapping the two stacks (1, 2) has longitudinally extendingreinforcements.
 9. Large package according to one of the precedingclaims, characterised in that each of the stacks (1,2) is covered so asto be protected against moisture.
 10. Large package according to claim8, characterised in that each of the stacks is received at the lowersection in a trough-like and impermeable hood of sheeting or fabric,which lies within the envelope and/or in that the face ends of eachstack are covered with an impermeable sheeting or a corresponding fabricweb.